Hobgoblin
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Description:
Hobgoblins are believed to be primative distant relatives of goblins, though goblins and even many orcs will decry this as a descriminatory comparison intended to perpetuate the myth that goblins (and orcs) are more 'savage' than other humanoid species. Regardless, there are many physical similarities between goblins and hobgoblins, though hobgoblins are larger, have effective claws, and a thicker, leathery hide that is a sickly beige color. Hobgoblins are universally cruel, and of limited social capacity and intelligence. They normally form into small raiding parties, rarely more than a dozen in number. They generally live in shallow caves, and while they can venture deep underground, they tend to make their dens or lairs closer to the surface and to survive by attacking travellers or stealing from farms and villages.
Variants:
Hobgoblins are prone to violence, particularly if resources are scarce, and while they can and do form larger groups allowing them to specialize their skills somewhat, these groups often separate seasonally, with subgroups moving on and joining other small scattered subgroups, and reforming from there.
Standard Hobgoblin
By itself, a standard hobgoblin is not much of a threat, but they generally do not seek out violence when they are alone and will prefer to steal livestock from farms at night if possible. Lone or wounded hobgolins will tend to hide or flee, and encountered a lone or wounded hobgoblin means you have probably encountered an imminent ambush.
Hobgoblin Brute
Hobgoblin brutes are larger, fiercer hobgoblins - usually older, battle-hardened alpha males or females who are past reproductive age, and earn their keep in their group with their ferocity. Hobgoblin brutes will generally not flee from battle, as this is a sign that they have outlived their usefulness and will typically end in them being murdered in their sleep.
Hobgoblin Shaman
Occasionally, hobgoblins will have a slight knock for magic. This usually only happens when a small band remains successfully together for a number of years, giving a more specialized individual time to hone it's skills.
Hobgoblin Stalker
Most hobgoblin groups with include a couple of specialized stalkers, as these serve as scouts, and are necessary for fragmented subgroups to seek out and identify other subgroups they might be able to join forces with. These specialists are somewhat more cunning and aware than the average hobgoblin and will observe their targets, and strike with surprise from the darkness using ranged attacks to attempt to control conflicts from the beginning.